Another depth piece is back in Foxborough: linebacker Mack Wilson and the Patriots have reportedly agreed to a one-year, $2.2 million deal, according to NFL Media’s Tom Pelissero. Both the Houston Texans and Cleveland Browns -- the team that drafted him -- were rumored to have vied for his services, but the Patriots won out.
Wilson, who came over to the Patriots via a one-for-one trade with Cleveland for edge rusher Chase Winovich, started three games for New England last season but played a primarily special-teams role by the end of the year after some early struggles.
The former fifth-round pick out of Alabama was largely replaced in the linebacker rotation by Jahlani Tavai and Raekwon McMillan, who are both back for 2023 alongside Ja’Whaun Bentley.
Without knowing the details of the money, Wilson almost certainly doesn’t have a guaranteed spot on the roster this season, though his acumen as a special-teamer gives him a leg up in that regard. For now, he’s decent depth for a linebacking crew that could also see some mid-to-late-round picks added to the mix later.
The Patriots keep on showing they think they largely have the foundation for a good team by bringing back veterans like Wilson rather than exploring much on the open market. Only time will tell if they're right.